
Perfume is a Japanese girl group formed in Hiroshima, Japan, in 2000. The group consists of Nocchi, Kashiyuka, and A-chan, and they are known for their charismatic stage presence, intricate choreography, and futuristic performances. While there is no explicit evidence that the members of Perfume know martial arts, their performances and choreography have been influenced by martial arts elements, particularly in their dance moves. The group has worked with choreographer MIKIKO, who has incorporated martial arts-inspired movements into their routines, creating a unique and iconic style that blends electronic dance music and technology.
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Perfume's choreographer Mikiko is in a martial arts phase
Mikiko Mizuno, known professionally as Mikiko, is a Japanese dancer and choreographer. She is the director and principal choreographer of the high-tech dance troupe Elevenplay and has also worked with performers like Perfume, Sakura Gakuin, and Babymetal. Mikiko's choreography for Perfume has been influenced by science fiction imagery and emphasizes upper body and robot-like hand movements.
In 2016, Mikiko was in charge of the artistic aspects of the Olympic flag handover ceremony at the 2016 Summer Olympics closing ceremony. She also choreographed the "Koi Dance" for the ending of the TBS drama "The Full-Time Wife Escapist". The following year, she was appointed to the planning committee of the 2020 Summer Olympics opening and closing ceremonies, which were eventually delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mikiko's work has been widely recognized, including receiving the Jury's Special Award from the Digital Media Association of Japan in 2017 and being selected as one of Vogue Japan's "Women of The Year". In addition to her work with Elevenplay and various performers, Mikiko has also choreographed music videos and advertising videos, showcasing her versatility and impact in the industry.
Mikiko's interest in martial arts may have influenced her choreography, particularly in the case of the Babymetal song "Karate," where she incorporated karate-themed moves to match the song's theme. Her work with Babymetal and Perfume has sparked discussions among fans about the similarities and contrasts between the two groups, with some speculating about potential collaborations or competitions between the groups.
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Mikiko's involvement with Perfume since day one
Mikiko Mizuno, born on 11 August 1977, is a Japanese dancer and choreographer who has been involved with the Japanese pop group Perfume since their early days. Known as the "4th member of Perfume," Mikiko is the group's beloved teacher, choreographer, show creator, and friend.
Mikiko began teaching dance at the age of 19 in 1996, drawing on her experience in ballet and street dance. In 1999, at the age of 22, she became an instructor at the newly founded Actor's School Hiroshima, where her first students included the future members of Perfume, who were then in the fifth grade. Mikiko has choreographed most of their songs, both as part of her lessons at the school and after Perfume left for Tokyo.
In addition to her work with Perfume, Mikiko has had a successful career as a choreographer and director. She has choreographed songs for other artists such as Babymetal and @onefive. She directed the first figure skating event held at the Tokyo Dome in 2023 and collaborated with two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu on subsequent solo ice shows. Mikiko was also involved in the 2016 Summer Olympics closing ceremony in Tokyo and was supposed to be the executive director of the Japan 2020 Olympics opening and closing ceremonies before resigning due to creative differences.
Mikiko's choreography for Perfume is influenced by science fiction imagery and emphasizes upper body and robot-like hand movements. She has also incorporated cutting-edge technology, such as drones, in collaboration with the experimental digital art firm Rhizomatiks and her own dance troupe Elevenplay.
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Mikiko's martial arts choreography for Babymetal
Mikiko Mizuno has been the choreographer for Babymetal since their first song, 'Doki Doki ☆ Morning'. She also created the choreography for Karen Girl's, Su-metal's first pro group. Mikiko was also heavily involved in the choreography and dance instruction at Sakura Gakuin, the school-themed idol group where Babymetal originated. Su-metal, Moametal, and Yuimetal were the original members of Babymetal, and they all dance as well as sing.
Mikiko's choreography is an integral part of Babymetal's performances, and the band's intricate dance moves are a key part of their appeal. Babymetal's music video for the song "Karate" showcases the band's distinct visual aesthetic and intricate choreography, with the band members executing windmill arm motions and flash heart signs. The video went viral in 2014, with Moametal commenting that she was proud to be representing Japanese culture through their music.
Mikiko's work with Babymetal and other groups, including Perfume, has been noted for its similarity in dance style despite differences in genre. Babymetal and Perfume are both Japanese girl groups with energetic performances that feature intricate choreography. Babymetal, however, blends heavy metal and idol genres, while Perfume is known for its technopop sound and futuristic imagery. Both groups have achieved success and recognition for their unique styles and performances, with Babymetal in particular gaining a dedicated following in the metal scene.
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Mikiko's emphasis on upper-body and hand-dance movements
Mikiko Mizuno, born on 11 August 1977, is a Japanese dancer and choreographer. She is the director and principal choreographer of the high-tech dance troupe Elevenplay and has worked with performers like Perfume, Sakura Gakuin, and Babymetal. Mikiko's choreography for Perfume is influenced by science fiction imagery and emphasizes upper-body and robot-like hand movements.
The body is the dancer's instrument of expression, and choreographers design dances that emphasize certain parts of the body or create shapes with their movements. Mikiko's emphasis on upper-body and hand movements in Perfume's choreography creates a unique and expressive performance style. She likely chose to emphasize these body parts to create dynamic and visually interesting shapes and movements that capture the attention of the audience.
Upper-body movements and hand gestures can play a significant role in storytelling and expression. In Classical Indian dance forms, for example, hand gestures are essential to conveying emotions and ideas. Mikiko's choreography for Perfume may draw on similar principles, using hand and arm gestures to enhance the performance and engage the audience.
Additionally, Mikiko's emphasis on the upper body and hand movements may be influenced by her interest in martial arts. In 2016, some sources indicated that she was going through a "martial arts phase," which may have inspired her to incorporate martial arts themes into her choreography. This influence can be seen in the song "Karate" by Babymetal, where she choreographed karate-themed moves to match the song's theme.
Mikiko's choreography for Perfume has been integral to their success. Their performances are known for their unique blend of choreography and technology, with cutting-edge technological aspects developed in collaboration with digital art firms. Mikiko's upper-body and hand choreography add to the visual spectacle of their performances, helping to create a distinct style that sets them apart from other artists.
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Mikiko's work with her own troupe elevenplay
Mikiko Mizuno, known professionally as Mikiko, is a Japanese dancer and choreographer. She is the director and principal choreographer of the high-tech dance troupe Elevenplay, which she founded in 2009. Mikiko formed Elevenplay with the goal of creating dancers with a highly artistic sense and creativity, in addition to excellent technique, body, and spirit. The troupe is made up of female dancers from a variety of genres and has diverse methods of expression, ranging from stages to video works and still photos.
Elevenplay is known for incorporating advanced technologies into their performances, such as projectors, drones, LEDs, and moving semi-transparent screens. They have collaborated with the experimental digital art firm Rhizomatiks on several occasions. One of their notable collaborations is the piece called "Shadow," which used three drones, a spotlight, and a dancer. Another collaboration with Rhizomatiks resulted in the show "Pulse" for the Festival Internacional Cervantino in Mexico, which utilised projection-mapping on both the background and the dancers. Elevenplay also worked with Rhizomatiks director Daito Manabe to create "Drone-Augmented Amazingness," a show that used three drones and a projection-mapped backdrop. In this piece, the dancers initially direct the drones, but by the end, the drones replace the dancers, blurring the boundaries between technology and performance.
Elevenplay has performed on notable stages, including appearing on America's Got Talent as Sister Bones. They have also performed as opening acts for renowned artists such as Lady Gaga's ArtRave: The Artpop Ball concert. In addition to their performances, Elevenplay has been involved in the Olympics. Mikiko was in charge of the artistic part of the Olympic flag handover ceremony at the 2016 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, showcasing her work on an international stage.
Mikiko's work with Elevenplay has received recognition in the media art scenes both in Japan and internationally. Her unique approach to choreography and direction has cultivated an environment of exceptional talent within the troupe, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in dance and technology. Elevenplay's collaborations with Rhizomatiks and other artists have further enhanced their reputation as a creative and innovative dance company.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no evidence that the band members know martial arts, but their dance choreography has been said to include martial arts elements.
Mikiko is the choreographer responsible for Perfume's dance routines.
Perfume's performances are known for their intricate choreography and the incorporation of technology with futuristic imagery.











































